Service under contract is a bilateral agreement, between the state and its defender. During service, the state takes on the obligation to guarantee the social protection of servicemen and their families, ensuring proper conditions for service, life, and health. The basic rights and benefits are secured in the Law of Ukraine «On the Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families», which determines what the social protection of the military is, which benefits there are, how they are realized, and who has the right to them.
Housing Provision: Who Has the Right and How to Receive It
In accordance with Article 12 of the Law, the state ensures:
- service housing for the military who undergo service under contract;
- compensation for the rental of housing if service housing is absent;
- a priority right to the improvement of housing after 20 years of service.
A contract soldier who has a family can get on the housing registration already after three years of service. For being taken onto registration, it is necessary to submit a report to the commander of the military unit with the appropriate package of documents.
These provisions extend both to active servicemen and to those who are being discharged after prolonged service.
In priority: families with children, single parents, participants in combat operations, the wounded, persons with a disability, as well as contract soldiers with length of service determined by the internal provisions of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Medical Service and Sanatorium Treatment
The Law on the social and legal protection of servicemen guarantees the military free medical provision in military-medical institutions throughout the entire service. This includes:
- free treatment in military hospitals;
- medical provision during service and after discharge;
- sanatorium-resort treatment at the expense of the state budget.
For the military who received a wound or illness during service, additional financing for rehabilitation is provided.
Educational Benefits for You and Your Children
During service, servicemen and their families enjoy a number of educational benefits that are part of the system of social protection of servicemen and their families.
The state provides for:
- The children of servicemen have advantages during enrollment in kindergartens and schools, scholarship programs are possible, free meals (under local programs), priority in receiving a place in educational institutions – as an element of the social protection of servicemen and their families.
- After discharge, servicemen have the right to requalification and career guidance, courses in new specialties at employment centers and partner programs.
Financial Assistance: From Relocation Allowance to Payments Upon Discharge
Financial guarantees are one of the key aspects. Servicemen have the right to receive several types of payments:
- a relocation allowance upon the conclusion of the first contract;
- assistance for recuperation (one salary per year);
- one-time cash assistance upon discharge (from 50% to 100% of the monthly monetary support for each year of service);
- payments in the case of wounds, disability, or the loss of working capacity.
Contract soldiers who served over 20 years receive the right to pension provision according to Art. 14 of the Law of Ukraine on the social and legal protection of servicemen.
Pension Provision and Veteran Status
The Law on the social protection of servicemen guarantees the military the right to a lifelong pension for length of service.
The pension is accrued depending on:
- the duration of service;
- the rank;
- the position;
- additional supplements (combat operations, service in special conditions, and so on).
After discharge, the military can receive the status of a veteran of service or a participant in combat operations, which opens access to additional social guarantees:
- free travel;
- medical benefits;
- discounts on utility services.
These provisions are secured in the Law of Ukraine on the social protection of servicemen and their families and operate throughout the entire territory of Ukraine.
Questions and Answers
1. Which law regulates social guarantees during service under contract?
The main document is the Law of Ukraine «On the Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families».
2. Does a contract soldier have the right to medical service?
Yes, the social protection of servicemen guarantees free treatment in military-medical institutions, provision with medications, sanatorium-resort treatment, and rehabilitation for veterans.
3. Which benefits for contract servicemen are provided for in the sphere of education?
The military can study free of charge in educational institutions, and their children have advantages during admission to kindergartens, schools, and higher educational institutions.
4. How is the pension for former servicemen calculated?
The pension depends on the duration of service, rank, position, and supplements. It is paid for life in accordance with the Law of Ukraine on the social and legal protection of servicemen.
